Calixarenes are macrocyclic compounds that form complexes with ions and neutral molecules. Association with ammonium cations and calixarenes is directed by coulombic forces, hydrogen bonding, N+-C-H---π interactions and van der Waals interactions. Calixarenes are stronger acids than corresponding phenols and react with aliphatic amines by proton-transfer and the ammonium cations can be placed as exo or endo-calix. The type of aggregate and the association constants are related to the branching of the chain, the basic character of amine, and the size of the calix. Trimethylammonium cations, like choline, bind sulfonate calix[4 and 6]arenes and calix[6]arenes by coulombic and N+-C-H---π interactions. Interaction of calixarenes and ammonium cations has been used for biological sensors for neurotransmitters and peptide hormones.

杯芳烃是与离子和中性分子形成复合物的大环化合物。与铵阳离子和杯芳烃的结合受库仑力、氢键、N+-CH---π 相互作用和范德华相互作用的指导。杯芳烃是比相应酚类更强的酸，并通过质子转移与脂肪胺反应，铵阳离子可以作为外杯或内杯放置。聚集体的类型和缔合常数与链的支化程度、胺的基本性质和杯的大小有关。三甲基铵阳离子，如胆碱，通过库仑和 N+-CH---π 相互作用结合磺酸杯[4和6]芳烃和杯[6]芳烃。杯芳烃和铵阳离子的相互作用已被用于神经递质和肽激素的生物传感器。